Union Home Secretary Urges States to Send More IPS Officers

Union Home Secretary asks States to send more IPS officers despite SC order.

Photo by Yusong He

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has requested States to send more Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on Central deputation to fill positions in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organizations (CPOs). This request comes despite a Supreme Court order on October 28, 2025, which dismissed a review petition led by the Centre against the court’s May 23, 2025, ruling to progressively reduce the deputation of IPS officers in senior administrative grades in the CAPFs. As of December 23, 2025, 36 posts are vacant out of 188 posts reserved for IPS officers at the DIG/IG level in the CAPFs.

Key Facts

Home Secretary: Urges States to send more IPS officers

Vacant posts: 36 of 188 reserved for IPS officers

SC order: Reduce IPS deputation in CAPFs

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Governance, Polity, Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

Federalism and Centre-State Relations: Impact of All India Services on State autonomy

Potential question types: Analytical questions on the role of IPS, challenges in Centre-State coordination, and reforms needed in police administration

Visual Insights

IPS Officer Deputation to CAPFs/CPOs: Key Statistics (January 2026)

Key statistics regarding the shortage of IPS officers on central deputation in CAPFs and CPOs, highlighting the gap between sanctioned posts and actual postings.

Vacant IPS Posts in CAPFs/CPOs (DIG/IG Level): 36
Total Sanctioned IPS Posts in CAPFs/CPOs (DIG/IG Level): 188
Supreme Court Order on IPS Deputation: Reduction

More Information

Background

The Indian Police Service (IPS) was constituted in 1948, replacing the Indian Imperial Police. The need for a unified police service was felt strongly post-independence to maintain law and order and to integrate the diverse policing systems across princely states and British provinces. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of India, played a crucial role in shaping the IPS.

The initial recruitment and training were designed to instill a sense of national unity and commitment to the Constitution. Over the years, the role of the IPS has expanded from basic law enforcement to include specialized units dealing with economic offenses, cybercrime, and terrorism. The allocation of IPS officers to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) has been a long-standing practice aimed at providing leadership and expertise to these forces, though this has faced challenges and debates regarding the balance between state and central policing needs.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been increasing scrutiny of the deputation policies of IPS officers, particularly concerning their impact on state policing capabilities. Several states have voiced concerns about the depletion of their senior officer cadre due to central deputations. The Seventh Central Pay Commission also examined the issue of manpower shortages in CAPFs and suggested measures to improve recruitment and retention within the forces themselves.

Furthermore, there's a growing emphasis on promoting officers from within the CAPFs to leadership positions, aiming to reduce the dependency on IPS officers from state cadres. The debate continues on how to balance the needs of the Centre and the States while ensuring effective leadership and operational efficiency in both the CAPFs and state police forces.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Police Service (IPS): 1. The IPS is one of the three All India Services. 2. Allocation of IPS officers to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) is constitutionally mandated. 3. The IPS was constituted in 1948, replacing the Indian Imperial Police. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.1 and 3 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 2 is incorrect. The allocation of IPS officers to CAPFs is an administrative practice, not constitutionally mandated. Statements 1 and 3 are correct.

2. With reference to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct?

A.CAPFs are under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
B.The primary role of CAPFs is to assist the State/UTs in maintaining law and order.
C.All CAPFs have a uniform command structure and recruitment process.
D.CAPFs are deployed for border guarding, counter-insurgency, and disaster relief.

Show Answer

Answer: C

Statement C is incorrect. While all CAPFs are under the MHA, they have distinct command structures and recruitment processes tailored to their specific roles. The other statements are correct.

3. Assertion (A): The Union Home Secretary has urged States to send more IPS officers on Central deputation. Reason (R): There is a significant shortage of IPS officers at the DIG/IG level in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). In the context of the above, which of the following is correct?